KAAMOS Residency

November–February
· Darkness · Focus · Research

A winter residency for slowing down, focusing and going deeper into your practice.
Nov–Dec 2026: €600/month · 50% off
Jan–Feb 2027: €1,200/month · regular price

A season for turning inward, slowing down and giving your practice space to deepen.

Experience the stillness and magic of the northern winter at KAAMOS Residency  — a self-funded residency for artists, writers, researchers and creatives seeking time, space and connection with nature.

At Malakta, darkness becomes part of the creative environment. The days grow shorter, the pace naturally slows, and the surrounding landscape invites a different kind of attention. Kaamos is a time for concentration, research, reflection and quiet exploration.

There is no fixed programme and no expected outcome. You decide what your residency needs to be. You can use the time to develop a new body of work, research an idea, write, experiment, rest, reconnect with your practice or simply spend uninterrupted time with your creative process. As we at Malakta are specialized in community arts, we prioritize projects that engage surrounding communities. And of course we would like to hear your artist talk during your stay.

Located in the peaceful Finnish countryside, Malakta sits beside a river, within cycling distance of the sea and surrounded by forests, fields and open northern landscapes. Malakta is an inspiring, communal and family-friendly environment where artists, residents and local people cross paths.

We value a human, welcoming and connected approach to residency life. Our community is active throughout the week, and we are happy to help residents connect with people, networks and resources relevant to their work. You are welcome to work independently while also becoming part of the life around Malakta — at your own pace.

A space to live, work & slow down

The residency is based in Studio Eila or Studio Toivo, located in Malakta’s old dairy tower overlooking the river and garden.

The space offers:
  • A bright dedicated studio with natural daylight
  • A fireplace for quiet Nordic evenings
  • Views over the surrounding landscape
  • Accommodation and working space
  • Shared kitchen facilities at Malakta
  • Access to the wider Malakta community and facilities

Residents can also enjoy the surrounding nature, traditional Finnish sauna, cold plunges, winter activities and creative workshops taking place at Malakta.

And yes — we have two saunas.

 

Optional creative mentorship

If you would like additional support during your stay, optional creative mentorship can be arranged. This can take the form of conversations, reflection, feedback and gentle guidance around your creative process or creativity training.

The aim is not to direct your work, but to offer another perspective when useful.

The staff is trained in creative problem solving using the Foursight method. And working closely with Wise HD.

Creative disciplines

Kaamos welcomes applications from a broad range of creative practices, including:

Craft · textile & fibre art · ceramics · wood · printmaking · video · dance · dance film · writing · sound art · photography

Studio spaces include:
  • Studio Eila – accommodation is in this same studio space
  • Studio Toivo – Just beside you if you need more space for your practices (Studio Toivo is mainly for summer use as it gets chilly in winter time)
  • Kitchen is shared and located one floor down as the toilets & showers & laundry & sauna.
  • Malakta’s main hall is free to use as a shared living room, as long as you take into consideration that courses and other activities are somedays taking place in the space and that it is shared with other users.

 

Studio Eila

Studio Toivo

By arrangement, residents may also access:

  • Video editing suite
  • Analogue darkroom
  • Ceramics studio
  • Wood workshop
  • Dance & yoga studio

We are especially interested in practices that benefit from time, concentration, research, experimentation and a slower rhythm.

Winter at Malakta

Kaamos is not only about working indoors.

Depending on the season and conditions, your residency might include sauna and cold plunges, skiing, ice skating, bonfires, yoga, slow somatic movement, advent traditions, encounters with the northern lights — or simply a quiet walk through the winter landscape.

You are free to make your own rhythm.

 

 

Residency fee

KAAMOS FAST MOVERS — 50% OFF

November–December 2026: €600 / month
50% off the regular €1,200/month residency fee.

Ready for a quick winter escape? Book your Kaamos residency for November or December 2026 and stay for €600/month.

January–February 2027: €1,200 / month
Regular residency pricing applies from January 2027.

This is a self-funded residency, meaning residents cover the cost of their stay through the residency fee. The fee includes accommodation and studio / working space for the duration of your stay.

Application deadlines

November residencies: apply by 26th of October??
December residencies: apply by 13 November

Spaces are limited.

Who is Kaamos for?

Kaamos is for people who feel called to slow down, focus and go deeper.

You might be an artist developing a new body of work, a writer needing uninterrupted time, a researcher following a question, or a creative person looking for space away from the noise of everyday life.

You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out.

Come with a question, an idea, a practice — or simply the need for space.

How to apply

Please send your application to air@malakta.fi.

Required materials

1. Motivation statement — max. 250 words
Tell us why you would like to join Kaamos and how your work or practice responds to the themes of darkness, focus, research and slowing down.

2. Work plan — max. 250 words
Describe what you would like to explore, develop or work on during your residency.

3. Professional background & biography — max. 250 words
A brief introduction to your practice and professional background.

4. Portfolio / previous work / website
Please provide up to 10 pages or an external link to your portfolio or website.

If submitting a link, please make sure it is accessible without a password or other restrictions. Applications that cannot be accessed will not be assessed.

Maximum file size: 4 MB.